Last night was my show at the Fine Line. It was my second time playing there, which is weird. It’s the Fine Line. It’s kind of a big venue. I never thought I’d play there. But now it’s happened twice. So that’s cool.
There was a good crowd (even with the 3 inches of snow that was coming down outside) and a real supportive, happy vibe in the room. I played by myself. I was hoping to make this the debut with the new full band (I have a bass player now!), but timing just didn’t work out. Next time.
French Films About Trains and batteryboy bookmarked my set.
Set list for the Fine Line 2/20/12
-Minnesota
-Good
-Easy to Blame
-Can’t Even Tell
-The Woods
-Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry cover)
-No Words
-Flavor
-Lens (Brand new first time played!)
-Lord, I Have Made You a Place in My Heart (Greg Brown cover)
What seems like forever ago now, I had dinner at The Sample Room in NE Minneapolis to celebrate a friend's new job - and my new job, too, I guess.
I had been here once before, briefly, during Art-A-Whirl a couple of summers ago. We sat outside and I don't even think I had anything.
We ended up here for the celebration after a last minute search for a place to celebrate the night before. We called everywhere and there wasn't a single place that had a table for 7 at 6pm on a Saturday night. That seemed weird.
But since The Sample Room doesn't take reservations, we took our chances and managed to get a table in a very, very crowded restaurant.
Two things I liked about The Sample Room:
1. It was super crowded. There's something about having dinner with friends in a loud, crowded restaurant. It helps make it seem like more of a party. It wasn't obnoxiously loud. It's just a very small space and every table was filled with people chatting it up.
2. I did not spot any children there. Maybe due to the fact that it's a very small, loud restaurant, people don't think of it as a place to bring The Family. And I'm happy about that. I know people with kids are allowed to eat at restaurants, but some restaurants just don't feel like the kind of place that toddlers need to run around in and babies need to scream in. Some place just feel a little more "adult" and The Sample Room had that vibe. At least for that night.
Two things I did not like about The Sample Room:
1. The wait. It took FOREVER to get our food. We had plans to go see a friend's band for an early show and I was worried that we wouldn't make it - even though the early dinner time was partly planned to allow plenty of time to catch them. And then, when you're sitting there waiting for your food, you end up drinking more and then the bill goes up and up and up...
2. The food. The food was...okay. There was nothing I had that I would tell people "OMG you HAVE to go to The Sample Room and have this dish!" And since it is the "sample" room, the servings are small, as you are supposed to share them and try many things. But they are also pricey and not very vegetarian friendly. So, my little bowl of potatoes was all I had and there really wasn't much else I could do about that.
But, for the most part, it was a pleasant experience and I would probably go again when I didn't have to be somewhere else at a certain time and now that I know what to expect.
Not that the Grammys ever should be considered the be all and end all of good musical taste, but what a junk fest it has become.
Let’s start with the most obvious piece of junk: Chris Brown. The Grammys gave a guy who, just a few years before on the eve of the Grammys, beat the shit out of his then girlfriend, Rihanna, multiple performance spots last night and an award. W.T.F. I understand that he “did his time” or whatever. Although, all I ever saw was him riding a jet ski and having a ball with other young ladies post-beat down. Never once did he show regret or sincere sorrow for what he did. He issued some publicist written apology and has his mom go on Twitter and defend him. And, I’m sorry, but he beat her up. It wasn’t just a light tap on the cheek (not that that would be okay, either). He beat her up. I have no tolerance for that and I don’t think the Grammys and the Grammy voters should either. But to see the way the crowd reacted when he performed and won, well, I’m disgusted (I’m looking at you, Diana Ross).
And then there’s Rihanna herself. Asked to perform at the same show. I read the gossip blogs. I know she is back to being on good terms with him. She’s young and apparently not that bright. But what can you expect when her whole community, basically the company she works for, gives her every indication that what he did to her was okay and she should really forgive him by now? I mean, everyone else has, right? Especially the Grammys, who are the realvictims here (seriously, they said that. Check out that link).
But, I’ve wasted enough space on that douchebag. Moving on.
There were a slight number of musical performances that were somewhat worth discussing and an even slighter number of awards given out on air.
The show kicked off with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band being Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. I love Bruce, but they’ve really nailed down their formula and stuck with it, haven’t they? I never would have guessed what they performed was a new song. But, really, what else are they going to do? Immediately afterward, LL Cool J (the host for the night for some reason) led everyone in a prayer for Whitney Houston. A prayer. At a nationally televised awards program filled with people from all walks of life. Personally, I just thought that wasn’t really the right way to go about things, though I do know that Whitney loved her Jesus.
Bruno Mars shocked me by making me notice him. To my knowledge, I had not heard a Bruno Mars song before last night. He has the whole James Brown vibe going on. Very energetic. Very entertaining.
So far so good, Grammys.
Whitney tribute #2 was a duet between Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt singing an Etta James’ song – oh, wait. This was a tribute to Etta James. But, Alicia through in a little “miss you, Whitney” or something to that affect that got the Twitterverse all up in arms. Here’s the thing: 1) Alicia should have left Whitney’s name out of that tribute. That was Etta’s moment. 2) Later during the Memoriam, Etta was left off, but Whitney was added. Why? Why? Screamed the Twitterverse. Here’s why: Etta died after the Grammy’s cut-off date (as did Don Cornelius). Typically, they would get their respect In Memoriam next year. Same thing happened to Amy Winehouse last year (which is why she was included in the In Memoriam this year). But, being the big players in music that they were, they each got their tribute: Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt sang an Etta James song and the Grammys thought Chris Brown dancing would be a good way to honor Don Cornelius. So, why did Whitney get so much air time? Because she died suddenly the night before at the age of 48! Geez, people. It was a shock. She was a huge part of Grammys past. And it happened less than 24 hours earlier. If they didn’t do anything people would have been furious.
So, yeah.
And Bonnie Raitt can really fucking sing. Smooth.
The Foo Fighters were asked to stay outside for their two performances, except for when they won Best Rock Album (where they were up against such notable rock acts as Mumford and Sons and The Decemberists). But even then, they were booted off stage rather quickly when Dave Grohl started bashing auto-tune and computers and manufactured music. Somebody had to say it. Thank you, Dave.
And speaking of Foo Fighters performing twice (with Dave Grohl actually getting a third time during the guitar solo-fest at the end of the night), why did so many people get to perform multiple times? Makes no sense. Yet they couldn’t give Bon Iver solo stage time to perform their song that was nominated for Song and Record of the Year? Paul McCartney played twice. Bruce Springsteen joined in on the guitar solo stand-off, so he was on stage twice. Chris Brown played twice. Chris Brown??? But no Bon Iver. Makes. No. Sense.
Speaking of Bon Iver, he did take home two awards last night. Best Alternative Album and Best New Artist. Hopefully the Best New Artist curse has waned. It’s got to be weird though. He went from near obscurity to major Grammy nominee and winner. Now what? What’s funny is that he’ll probably go back to Wisconsin and keep doing what he’s doing. The Grammys and the mainstream will consider him a failure, but the “real” music industry will know the truth. Keep doing what you’re doing, dude.
(Also, I would just like to add that he thanked Eau Claire which is in Wisconsin NOT Minnesota. I know we like to claim him as our own, but then we need to start rallying around other Wisconsin acts, too. Otherwise this just comes off as desperate, Minnesota.)
I’m sure Bon Iver was even more relieved he chose not to participate in that Beach Boys…thing. Why is it necessary to bring in other bands to play their songs? Why couldn’t they just wheel the Beach Boys out on stage and let that be it? Why let Maroon 5 and Foster the People do that to them (and us)?
Jennifer Hudson gave a remarkable performance tribute to Whitney Houston by singing “I Will Always Love You”. I don’t know how she got through that without breaking down. Especially after watching the video below. She is a total pro.
Adele gave a great performance of her song “Rolling in the Deep”. I believe it was her first performance since undergoing throat surgery. How terrifying would that be? I’ve had a slight lump in my throat for the past couple of days and I am all concerned about my voice and singing and I’m just a local singer/songwriter. Can you imagine being Adele and having to take a knife to your vocal chords? Terrifying. She sang beautifully. And she won all the other awards – rightfully so. And how fun was it to see Dan Wilson standing behind her as she accepted her Album of the Year award? He’s just so pleasant.
Other Items of Note:
Paul McCartney is old now. Like really old.
Katy Perry’s star seems to be fading at a rapid pace. I know she’s sold all the albums ever, but I don’t think people care anymore. There was a general feeling of meh during her performance. Both online and it looked like in the Staples Center.
I was really excited to see Nicki Minaj because I thought she would be awesome (from all I heard), but I was just confused. Maybe I am really old now.
Lady GaGa has gone past eccentric and is now just trying way too hard.
All in all, it was a good show. I managed to watch the whole thing, which is rare. I just wish they didn’t try so hard to resurrect Chris Brown’s career. He doesn’t deserve it and there are plenty of other R & B/ Rappers to take his place that don’t beat their girlfriends. His presence turned a nice evening into something kind of gross.
It's weird. I'm struck by just how sad I am at hearing the news. I didn't know her personally. But, still, I feel like someone I used to know - a long lost friend or relative - someone that really meant something to me at one time has died.
And it's very sad.
Whitney was my first idol. I loved her. I wanted to be her. I look back at the time in my life when I first came to love her: I was about 7 or 8 years old. My mom had just died about a year before. I took to Whitney in a strange way. My adoration of her was stronger than anyone probably ever knew. As a little girl I would try so hard to sing as big as she did. And sometimes, I truly believed I was succeeding. I'd watch her music videos and then, as soon as they ended, I would pretend that I was her in those videos by throwing on her tape and mimicking the moves: The finger snaps, the foot shuffles, the head jerks.
I had her poster on my wall.
This was the video I tried to copy the most:
She came to play in town around that time. I can't recall if it was at the State Fair or some other festival, but I know there were rides there. My sister surprised me and my niece (and best friend), Kimi (her daughter who is around my age) with "tickets" to see her perform. We were so excited. We got to the festival and, unfortunately, we didn't actually have tickets. We stood behind the fence behind the very last row of actual ticket holders and listened to her. She was a tiny dot on the stage, shuffling back and forth...but her voice carried all the way back. There were crates next to us and some other non-ticket holders were standing on them. They let us join them up there and then even let us use their binoculars so we could see. I can still remember that view of Whitney very clearly. And, at that age, I didn't care that we weren't up front. Because, in my mind, we were. Although, I'm pretty sure I went there thinking that I was going to get an autograph. It was my first concert. I didn't know how they worked.
I loved all of her songs and followed her loyally through The Bodyguard - though maybe not as openly. Whitney and my junior high "style" didn't really go hand in hand.
But, probably my favorite of them all is a song called "All At Once" off of her debut album. As I was saying above, when Whitney first really gained popularity, it was right after my mom died. My dad and I were living in an apartment. I would try to sleep in my own room at night, but would inevitably end up pulling my mattress into his room and sleeping on the mattress on the floor. I would bring my tape player with me and I would put on her debut album (Whitney Houston) and fall asleep to it. But every time this song came on, I would sing along to it very quietly and usually start crying. I think it was the first song I ever really got. I ever connected with emotionally. I could identify with the lyrics. And I still can't listen to it without bawling. As I'm doing now.
I don't know why I did this. My adult self imagines it's because when my mother was alive and fighting cancer, she used to let me sleep in bed with her and my father. I'd sleep right between them - even at 6 years old - and probably drive them crazy all night. I think some strange part of me felt like laying on the floor next to my dad's bed and listening to Whitney, well, I think it made it feel like it was before. And my dad, being the grieving widower and now single father to a little girl, had no idea what to do and just did everything he could to make me happy. But, man, how did her ever sleep with a seven year old on the floor next to him singing along to Whitney Houston every night? (love you dad)
So, yeah, Whitney Houston meant something to me. When I was a little girl, she sang me through my pain - like my mom used to do. I've always held onto that.
I have been such a bad blogger and there have been so many things I've wanted to write about - not anything deeply important - just random things and then suddenly the list got so long and I got overwhelmed and had no idea where to even begin.
So here it all is in list form;
1. My husband got a new job! It's pretty exciting. It's a perfect fit for him. I tell ya, there is a lot of good job karma floating around out there right now. If you've been looking and you stopped for whatever reason, start again. Good things are happening for a lot of people.
2. I'm home today as part of my new alternative work schedule for my new job. It's pretty awesome. I got so much done already and it's not even noon yet. My website has been updated. Show requests have been sent. Laundry has been started. I've showered. It's been a good day. It's so nice to have these days.
3. Speaking of shows, I'm playing at the Fine Line on Monday, February 20th. It's a free show. I know it's a Monday and Monday's are a hard day to go out, but it's early (I go on around 8:30) and it's kind of important that I get people to this one. So if you've ever thought about coming to see me, but always thought you'd just catch me at a later day, well, the later date has arrived! I hope to see you!
4. I've been keeping up with recording updates, but did you know that I'm also about half way through with writing a new album? I've got about 6 songs started. Very basic at this point, but still they are started. I think when I'm done recording this album, I might just keep going and start on the next one.
6. Everybody has been talking about this Gotye guy for a really long time now. I remember seeing the video posted on Facebook back late last year. I ignored it. Then it just kept popping up. Then people starting posting all these cover renditions and then I just thought it was some sort of internet meme that was lost on me so I continued to ignore it. Then a friend asked if I wanted to go see this Gotye guy when he comes to town...so I finally went to check out this song...and, well, it's not bad. I can see the appeal. But it totally reminds me late 80s Sting, which is not a bad thing. Sting rules.
7. Speaking of other music people have been talking about: Lana Del Rey. I had not heard any of her songs, and like with a lot of people, my first real exposure to her was her dreadful SNL performance. But, last night on a whim, I went to listen to some song samples on iTunes, and, yeah, it's really good stuff. I totally dug and can totally see myself singing those songs while drinking many beers and hanging out in my living room. I'm totally going to buy it. Just like the rest of the world.
8. Bon Iver has been all over the music news places for, basically, dissing the Grammys. I know the Grammys are barely about the music these days and have lost any sort of integrity they once had, but they are still the Grammys. I'd be ridiculously excited to win one - or, yes, honored just to be nominated. But I also understand the grossness of it all and I get his stance with not being all that excited about it. So whatever. Either way, the guy is amazing and I found this video of him performing a solo version of "Skinny Love" on Later with Jools Holland and it took my breath away.
9. So much music stuff....so Erin McKeown is in the studio finishing up an album and Amanda Palmer just announced she will be going in to record in a couple of weeks. So add them to the list of ladies I love who will be releasing albums (most likely) this year. It's going to be a fantastic year for music. Also, here is Amanda Palmer's new video for her cover of Nirvana's "Polly". Haunting.
10. Madonna played the Superbowl and she released a new single and it is so beneath her. If it was a song by, oh, I don't know, some young pop star, I'd think it was a fun little song. But, sorry, she is too old for this. I hate to rag on her because she's all grows up now, but, Madonna, come on. And then I feel even more bad because it seems over the past year people have really been commenting on all of her plastic surgery and weird overly yoga'd arms and, as an aging pop star, that has to be incredibly difficult to deal with. Then I saw that she's taken to wearing gloves and I assume it's also because your hands are the one thing that will show your real age and I've seen people all over the gossip blogs comment on her hands and how old they look and then suddenly she has a new movie and a new album and she's covering her hands with gloves...and it's kind of sad. But then I remember she's Madonna and there are many other people in the world to feel bad for.
11. I was sick last week (shocker) and stayed home and watched a bunch of movies: The Day After Tomorrow, The Aviator, and The Island. All of them I've seen before. But, I've just got to say, The Day After Tomorrow fills me with so much frustration. I know it's just a big special effects movie, but you'd think in a movie that deals with cold that they would research cold. It just shows that Hollywood has no idea how cold cold is. It is about 20 degrees outside right now in Minnesota. I have to catch the bus later today. I will be dressed warm and most likely I will find myself still shivering while I wait. Physically trembling. Nobody trembled in this movie. Now, in 20 degrees, I will probably not wear gloves, but most people do. But this movie takes place in temperatures that cause the ocean to freeze. At one point, Jake Gyllenhaal and his friends have to outrun freezing. I don't even know how that is possible. Basically they are trying to outrun air. Yet, he is not wearing gloves. Or a hat. At one point he grabs onto a metal ladder. Without gloves. In the freezing. It makes me crazy. Come on, Hollywood.
12. So, as I said above, I also watched The Aviator. Great movie. Then the next day I watched Inception again. Also a great movie. Both star Leonardo DiCaprio. I've decided I really like Leonardo DiCaprio. He makes good movies. Good for him. Remember how after Titanic he came out with that movie The Beach and everyone thought he would just waste away in teenage idolhood?
13. The Island is stupid (and way too long). Don't bother. Although Ewan McGreoger and Scarlett Johansson are both very pretty.
14. In order to try to stop being sick all the time, I bought a whole bunch of immune system boosting foods at the grocery store last weekend. One of those things is garlic. I've read that eating 2 cloves of garlic a day does wonders for your immune system. Don't Do This. I had 4-5 little nibbles off of one clove and my stomach went sour and I smelled like and tasted garlic for 2 days after. Bad idea. I can't imagine what people who actually do this smell like. Not worth it.
15. And, finally, if you are like me at all and are not a fan of children or parent's who think their kids are the center of the world and the greatest thing ever and that everyone should be totally amazed that they were able to produce one and act like they are the first people in the world to ever have a baby...then you should go read this site: STFU, Parents. Hilarious.
If you have a minute to spare, please click the picture below so I can be a part of Vita.MN's Are You Local Best New Band night. If I'm chosen as one of the 3 finalists, I get to play at the showcase at First Avenue. It will be awesome. And I will be ridiculously happy. And you will have been a part of that happiness.
I really wanted to record some vocals today...but I have this silly cold and my voice just is not there. But we still got a couple of things done.
My friend, Kurt, came in and played the mandolin on one track and I started my guitar part for another.
We're moving right along. I feel like we're in the home stretch which is both exciting and scary. Once I have it done, I'm going to want to put it out there as quickly as possible...but recording is only the first step. Mastering and the actual making of the actual physical album still have to be done and both of those things are super expensive. So much so that I'm actually considering starting a Kickstarter...but I just don't feel comfortable with that.
I'l find a way. It will happen.
In other news...
I bought a tenor guitar!!!
I've wanted one of these for many years and they are impossible to find. Most companies don't make them anymore so you can really only luck out in finding one via eBay or a used instruments store, which is where I found mine.
It's so pretty and sounds so good. Unfortunately, I don't know how to string it and, while playing with the tuning, I snapped a string so I need to bring it in and get it restrung - and be shown how to do it myself.
